Motorsport queen Pauline Shegu nominated for top international award
Kenyan rally driver Pauline Shegu
Kenya’s veteran rally driver adds a continental nomination to a growing list of honours after another season flying the flag at the WRC Safari Rally
By Martin Weche
Kenyan rally driver Pauline Shegu has been nominated for the Outstanding Sports Personality award at the third edition of the International Women Parliament, set to take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 18.
Confirming the nomination, Shegu described the recognition as both a privilege and validation of years of persistence in a sport where she remains one of the few women competing at the top level. “I am especially honoured that my profile was recommended at a continental level. This recognition is both a privilege and a reminder that hard work, dedication, and service never go unnoticed,” she said.
She framed the nomination as bigger than her own career, presenting it as part of a wider story about women’s leadership in spaces historically dominated by men. “This nomination is not just a personal achievement; it is a celebration of the power of women’s leadership, resilience, and the impact we can create when we dare to dream and serve with purpose,” Shegu said, adding that she was honoured to represent Kenya and the African continent “on a global platform where women leaders exchange ideas and inspire positive change.”
The International Women Parliament recognises women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in their respective fields, drawing nominees from across the continent for consideration each year.
The Dhaka nomination extends what has already been a decorated period for Shegu, whose profile has grown steadily since she first entered motorsport competition in 2006. In recent months, she has picked up the AWISI Women of Impact in Sports Award, Sports Personality of the Year at the Thamani Africa Awards, and Best Sports Trailblazer Woman in Kenya at the East Africa Superwoman Awards, honours that reflect both her performances on the track and her advocacy for greater representation of women in rallying.
The recognition also comes on the back of another season behind the wheel. Shegu made her fourth consecutive appearance at the WRC Safari Rally this year, having competed at every edition since the event returned to the World Rally Championship calendar in 2021. She remains, by some distance, the most consistent female presence in Kenya’s flagship motorsport event, often competing as the only woman in the WRC category alongside her regular co-driver, Linet Ayuko.
Her rally career has not been without setbacks. Funding constraints have repeatedly forced her to scale back preparation ahead of race weekends, and she was among the drivers forced to retire mid-rally this year after her windscreen was damaged during competition. Despite these obstacles, she has continued to use her platform to call for greater investment in women’s motorsport, arguing that sponsorship directed at female drivers pays dividends well beyond the podium by inspiring the next generation to take up the sport.
Shegu’s dual identity as both a competitive rally driver and a veteran broadcaster and public relations professional has made her a recognisable figure well beyond motorsport circles in Kenya, and her growing list of continental honours reflects that broader reach. Whether or not the Dhaka nomination converts into a win, it cements her position among the country’s most decorated female sporting figures of the year.
The International Women Parliament’s third edition is expected to bring together women leaders from government, business, sport and civil society for a series of engagements culminating in the September 18 awards ceremony.
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